Category Archives: Uncategorized

Cook Kit Giveaway

In this giveaway, I will be giving away one of my favorite camp cook kits.

This Giveaway is not sponsored. I have bought and paid for these items with my own money.

This Giveaway is only available to Subscribers in the USA and Canada – Because the Coronavirus international shipping is not allowed to all parts of the world.

This giveaway includes my favorite nesting cup which is a large DZO

My favorite canister stove which is a BRS style stove

Also, a Go Bites long-handled spork

To Enter this Giveaway all you need to do is:

1- Live in the USA or Canada

2- Like and Share the Giveaway Video that is linked below.

3- Leave a comment including the word Wolf on that same video.

4- Subscribe to Wolf Pack Woodcraft, as soon we get 7000 subscribers we will select a winner.

5- You must be a Public Subscriber to win.

The winner will be selected by using a random YouTube comment picker.

The winner will then have their comment pinned to the top of the comments section with a You Win!!! Reply from Wolf Pack Woodcraft

You will then be asked to Email me at wolfpackwoodcraft@gmail.com with your name, address, and phone number.

I wish everyone The Best Of Luck. Thank You all so much I really appreciate all of the support.

Giveaway video link – https://youtu.be/A7BvCJIVV5U

Tools To Not Get Lost

When you think of land navigation the two most common tools people think of are Map and Compass.  However, there are at least a few other tools that can really help keep you from wandering off and getting lost. In this video, I talk about a few of my favorite tools that have kept me on trial and confident in my ability to always find my way home.

 

 

Affiliate link to the gear I use: https://www.amazon.com/shop/wolfpackwoodcraft

More on using a map and compass: https://www.wolfpackwoodcraft.com/how-to-use-a-compass-easy-mode

My favorite Compass: https://amzn.to/2MvJ32G   lost

 

 

Three Minnesota State Parks To Visit This Summer

January is about the time of year I get the “itch.” Winter just seems to drag on with it’s cold and dreary, and I long to be at a Minnesota State Park. So, while I dream of summer days, here are three Minnesota State Parks on the must-see list for this summer. Check out our review for Itasca, Glacial Lakes, and George H. Manitou.

The cascades at George H. Crosby Manitou State Park from the bottom

1. Tettegouche State Park

Tettegouche is a Minnesota State Park gem.  The waterfalls here are Tettegouche’s claim to fame, with a few along the Baptism River and lots of gorgeous cliffs. While there are multiple waterfalls in the park High Falls, at 60 ft, is the biggest waterfall and a tourist draw. The landscape also makes Tettgouche a great stop for Rock Climbing, which would be an adventure on its own. While waterfalls themselves are enough to put this state park on my list, the wildlife is a bonus.  Home to Peregrine Falcons, the fastest birds in the world diving up to 224 mph. One may also get a chance to see a Northern Flying Squirrel while on the trails in Tettgouche State Park.

2. Minneopa State Park

Minneopa translates to water falling twice, referencing the two-tier waterfall in the park (apparently there is a theme of waterfalls here).  The pictures of the hilly terrain covered with woods and river cutting through looks straight out of a fairy tale. There is also the Seppmann windmill that was completed in 1864 and used to make flour out of wheat. This windmill is designed after the windmills in Germany and a very cool piece of history. While windmills and waterfalls are reason enough to give this Minnesota State Park a visit, Minneopa has it’s very own Bison Conservation Herd. A Bison Conservation Heard is reason enough to check out this state park in southern Minnesota.  Currently, this Bison herd has about 25 members and 331 acres to roam! There are special days and times to take the Minneopa Bison Drive so take a look at the schedule before you go.

3. Soudan Underground Mine State Park

The coolest part of Soudan Underground Mine State Park is that you can get a tour of Minnesota’s first iron ore mine. Aside from that attraction, there is a lot of wonderful wildlife to be on the lookout for such as black bears, timber wolves, and fishers. The Soudan Underground Mine State Park buds up to the Kabetogama state forest. While there are lots of places you can camp in state forests there is a special campsite here. Hinsdale Island is a primitive campsite only accessible by the waters of Lake Vermillion.

Let me know what are the top three state parks on your list to visit this summer? Which activity on this list excites you most? Let me know in the comment section below.

I can’t wait to get out this summer hiking among waterfalls, gazing at buffalos, and touring an iron ore mine!

Outdoor Vitals tent set up at Itasca State Park
Outdoor Vitals tent set up at Itasca State Park

 

Hiking and Camping Christmas Gifts for Women

Christmas shopping (gift-giving in general) can be hard. I’m sharing with you today some last-minute ideas for Christmas gifts for the women or girls in your life who love hiking and camping. Breaking these gifts down into three categories, we will look at Stocking Stuffers, Hiking gifts, and Camping gifts (you could also check out our women’s camp comforts here for more ideas.)

 

Stocking Stuffers

Stockings were my favorite thing as a child at Christmas, and when I think of stockings, I think of overflowing with lots of fun gifts. Stocking stuffers can add up quickly, so this list keeps all stocking stuffers under $25.

  1. Freeze-dried food, specifically, a dessert can be spendy and hard to justify purchasing for yourself, making it a great gift. You can also adjust it to fit your giftee’s taste. I recommend the Creme Brulee from Back Packer’s Pantry.                                                                                                                                                                      
  2. Headlamps are also very useful, you honestly can’t have enough, we keep them all around the house for different purposes. This one from Foxelli is a gorgeous blue with a tree print, finding one that fits their style helps personalize the gift.                                                                                                                                
  3. Hiking socks, you can’t go wrong when gifting good quality hiking socks. Darn Tough is a brand we know and love, with a lifetime warranty.  Made from merino wool, they keep your feet dry and far from smelly. Again, these socks come in so many colors it make s it easy to fit the person you’re gifting’s taste.    
  4. Headbands are always a great gift to through in an active woman’s stocking, they’re fun and keep hair and sweat out of your face.                                                                                                                                               
  5. If you love the great outdoors there is one thing for sure, you can’t have too many water bottles. This bottle from Nomader is sturdy, so you feel like you’re actually using a water bottle, yet you can roll it up to save space in your pack if needed.                                                                                                                       

 

Hiking Christmas Gifts

It can be hard to find a Christmas gift for the hiking enthusiast in your life, but here are a few ideas to get you a start.  For this gift section, all these last-minute gifts are under $40.

  1. A journal or even a book can be a wonderful gift. The journal will help your hiking enthusiast keep track of all the wonderful places they venture to and the cool stuff they get to see. When it comes to picking a book, there are just so many options…is your hiking enthusiast a lover of stories looking to be inspired, or are they trying to learn a new skill like foraging? Check out this logbook for tracking one’s own adventures:                                                                                                                                                                       The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs features a lot of cool facts about the world around us:                                                                                                                                                                                                  She Explores is a masterpiece that pieces together inspiring essays from many women about their own journey, as well as gorgeous travel photography:
  2. Binoculars are great to have on hand when hiking, so you can enjoy nature at a distance. Binoculars also tend to be one of those things that people do not buy for themselves making it a great gift.
  3.  A new daypack in fun colors paired with functionality is always a great gift. This 40L daypack from Venture Pal features a waterproof pocket and a sternum strap.                                                                     
  4. A packable, waterproof blanket. Having a blanket you can lay in the ground while you stop and take lunch, or wrap around yourself if it’s a bit chilly is always welcomed. This one from JJ Cole Outdoors is large (5 foot by 5 foot) and weighs in at only a pound.                                                                                             
  5. Trekking Poles, these are something hikers might not even realize they would need or like.       

 

Camping  Christmas Gifts

When it comes to finding Christmas gifts for a camper, there are so many options! On this list, each item comes in under $40.

  1. Enamel cups, seriously, there is just something about them that feels right when camping. There are so many cute ones too, it’s hard to narrow it down:                                                                                            
  2. Camping chairs are always nice to add to someone’s collection. They can take one along if it will be just them, or they could even be used at home when having outdoor gatherings:                 
  3. A Luci Light is one of the best portable lanterns. Deflates so it takes up no space, and it is solar-powered, I never go on a camping trip without one.                                                                                                
  4.  Camping games are sure to be on every camper’s list.  Here I focused on outdoor games like bag toss and yard dice. However, we have this video talking about our favorite board games to bring with camping.     
  5. Two words, Pie Irons. If they don’t have one already, they’ll LOVE it, if they do have one already, they’ll still LOVE it. If they haven’t experienced the tasty joy of a pie iron, or maybe they’re looking to be more creative, through in a recipe book for endless, tasty enjoyment.                                                           

 

 

Happy Gifting!

Hopefully, this list sends you on your way to a fun gift-giving season (all though these gifts could be given for birthdays as well!) If you are looking for Christmas gift ideas for guys make sure to check out Kory’s video here!

Trangia Alcohol Burner VS Pathfinder Alcohol Stove

Ever since I made my first video on Alcohol stoves in 2017, I have heard nonstop about how I need to get a Trangia Burner. Well, I finally got a one and put it up against my favorite Pathfinder Burner.

Here are the results:

Full Boil Test:

Full 1/2 oz Burn Test:

As you can see from the results the Trangia does have its advantages. However, for me, I still like all of the added capabilities of the Pathfinder Alcohol Stove.

If you are looking for more information on these Burners look no further:

Trangia –  Trangia

Pathfinder –

Esbit ( the closest thing I could Find) – trangia knockoff

If you are looking for a camping stove you might be interested in this article as well: https://www.wolfpackwoodcraft.com/best-camping-stove

CPAP camping

Bring Your CPAP Camping With You

When it comes to bringing your CPAP  camping I hear a lot of people talking about the limitations of their machines. One of the hardest things is hearing about people that “Used To” love sleeping in nature but no longer get the chance to enjoy the freedom of sleeping under the stars. Here is a review of the RockPals 500 Watt Portable Power Station that can run a CPAP for about 32 hours.

You can see, the RockPals 500 Watt Portable Power Station would work best for people that need to bring their CPAP camping or for people looking for a way to bring power to their Blackout Kits.

You can do more research on how to use your CPAP camping or pick one up here —> https://amzn.to/3eEaUGC (Amazon Affiliate Link )

CPAP camping

The Solar Panel is Sold Separately.  Pick one up here —> https://amzn.to/2TToNbM (Amazon Affiliate Link )

CPAP camping

To help this Website reach more people check out our other Affiliate links here —>  https://www.wolfpackwoodcraft.com/affiliate-links

 

Be Prepared not Afraid – It’s Easier Than You Think

Being prepared is easier than you think. Start prepping for what you are afraid of and build from there.

 

My Favorite Camping/Survival Gear:

Cutting – http://shrsl.com/20dmo

Combustion – https://amzn.to/2PBnMC6

Canteen – https://amzn.to/2PdkR3T

Cover – https://amzn.to/2YHvsXN

Cordage – https://amzn.to/2PCnSJO

Compass – https://amzn.to/2Pa6rS8

Flashlight – https://amzn.to/2LFExLC

Filter – https://amzn.to/35d4lXc

Saw – https://amzn.to/2RCCNpY

Sleeping Bag – https://amzn.to/38q8sB5

Sleeping Pad – https://amzn.to/2RFGj39

Stove – https://amzn.to/36oMvAE

Four Ways to Brew a Cup of Coffee While Camping

The Magic of a Cup of Coffee

Nothing is better in the chill of the early morning on a camping trip than the sweet, sweet taste of a cup of coffee. This year I tried out a few different ways of making coffee. Today let’s dive into four ways to brew a cup of joe on the trail and go over their pros and cons.

Instant Coffee

Starting off with an old standby, instant coffee is the most basic way to create a hot cup of happiness.

Pros:

  • Lightweight. This is the lightest option when it comes to brewing coffee in the woods.
  • Secondly, nothing extra is needed to brew instant coffee! The packet, the stove to boil water and coffee cup already packed is everything needed to enjoy a warm cup.
  • Thirdly, the price point is a huge win. Instant coffee can be found anywhere from 10 cents to one dollar per cup. A fraction of what your coffee shop addiction costs.
  • Finally, taste. While a lot of common instant brands really lack in flavor, there are new flavors and brands coming out all the time. Currently, you can find instant coffees that even have the creamer mixed in, saving you weight again.

 

Cons:

Although there are quite a few pros when it comes to instant coffee, there are drawbacks as well.

  • The main con with instant coffee is packing out the packets it comes in. Keeping track of those tiny packets can be difficult, but is very important when practicing leave no trace.
  • In contrast, while the taste is a pro it can certainly be a con as well. You need to try out a few brands to find one that suits your pallet, otherwise, you may end up with a chalky cup of coffee you need to choke down instead of enjoying.

 

Portable Kcup Brewer

Ohuhu makes the pour-over, manual kcup brewer that I use. This particular brewing system came with two reusable kcup pods which are fantastic for reducing waste!

Pros:

  • First off, the price is the real winner with this one. It is a one time purchase for the setup and under $20. Another great thing with the price aspect is that since the kcups included are reusable, you can buy bulk grounds of your favorite coffee and divvy it out among trips and home.
  • Secondly, reusable kcups are awesome! This system comes with two, so you can have one ready to go while brewing the other. It also significantly cuts down on waste, since you aren’t collecting a bunch of plastic kcups to carry out with you. Having the grounds in the kcups makes them easier to pack out as well.
  • Taste is also a huge winner with this system. Since you can fill the reusable kcups with the coffee of your choice, you really can’t go wrong here with the flavor – since it can be your absolute favorite coffee.

 

Cons:

While this system focuses on flavor and reducing waste, it comes with a con of its own:

  • This system is not multi-purpose, so it adds extra weight to your pack. It can be hard to find room to add a gadget that takes up important space for water bottles and cook kits.

Portable Coffee Grinder and Pour Over

This coffee system by Meetwin is a great option that packs a ton of flavor!

Pros:

  • First of all, this system has a built-in grinder for the freshest coffee you can experience on the trail.
  • Because it has a built-in grinder, you can buy your favorite beans in bulk the best tasting cup of coffee.
  • Price also becomes a factor when you look at buying in bulk. It will also save you money since you can use your beans both at home and on the trail.

 

With this one there are a few more cons to weigh out.

Cons:

  • This coffee system, while portable is heavy. All the components including the built-in grinder bring this system to a little over a pound.
  • Secondly, this is not a multipurpose system so it takes up valuable room in your pack.
  • Finally, carrying out waste is a little trickier with this system, because you grind the beans into the pour-over cup and they get compacted by the water.

 

GSI Java Press

The last option we will be discussing is this nifty multipurpose system from GSI.

Pros:

  • Ease of use is definitely a huge win for this system, essentially it is a french press. Pour the coffee grounds in the main bottle, hot water goes over the grounds, then place the screen back in the bottle and press down.
  • Again, since it is coffee grounds, find your favorite and buy in bulk. This makes for a delicious cup of coffee every time.
  • Thirdly, it is easy to get the grounds out of the bottle so you can practice leave no trace and carry out with ease.
  • Finally, the best part of the GSI java press system is that it is multi-purpose. While it makes a wonderful cup of coffee, you can use it as a good old water bottle thanks to the sealable lid. This helps justify bringing a coffee gadget and the room it takes up in your pack.

 

While this is a wonderful option space and taste-wise, it too has its cons.

Cons:

  • The price point on this system could definitely be a con to some, coming in at around $20.
  • You need to be quick at drinking your coffee. Since this system is a french press and the coffee stays in the bottle, it continues to brew until you are done drinking it. This can cause the coffee to become a little bitter or overpowering if not consumed fast enough.

 

Which System Makes the Best Cup of Coffee?

All four of these systems are great and have their place in the camping world. The portable coffee grinder is great for groups, to really treat your friends to a specialized cup of coffee. While the portable kcup is great for when you are looking for special flavors to entertain your pallet. I usually go back and forth between good old instant (hey, it’s easy!) and the GSI Java Press. The Java press is definitely my go-to, the weight is easily justified with it being a multipurpose system and you really can’t beat the flavor it creates.

Let me know in the comments down below if you crave that deliciously warm cup of coffee during the chill of the perfect morning? There’s just something about that cup of coffee that makes the morning magic after the perfect night’s sleep while camping. And if you are a coffee junkie like me – how do you make your perfect cup on the trail?

Stocking Stuffers for the Camper in your Life

It can be quite a challenge to find small gifts with plenty of meaning and use, so here are 10 great ideas for stocking stuffers. These stocking stuffers are small and inexpensive at $35 or less, but the person you snatch these up for will get lots of use and enjoyment from these.

10.  A small, packable pillow for a great night’s sleep in the woods. Totally beats their bumpy and lumpy sweatshirt. Get this one from Teton Sports here.

 

9. There is no denying that cell phones are a large part of everyday life for people. In fact, many campers and hikers use them as cameras to take valuable pictures of their adventures. Make sure the adventurer in your life doesn’t miss capturing that moment with a power bank so they can stay charged on the go! Get 10000 MaH with this one from Anker.

8. Brighten their day with a new headlamp! This is a convenient way to make sure they can see whatever they need to in the dark and have both hands free. Try out this rechargeable one from Foxelli.

7. A spork is great for any campers stocking stuffers! You can never have enough of these. Toaks titanium long handled spork ensures you get every last morsel of your mountain house, without getting a mess on your hands.

6. A multitool is one of those things that you don’t realize how great it is until you have one, making it a great gift! They will say “you thought of everything!”  I recommend the Leatherman Squirt – compact and reasonably priced!

5. The number 5 spot goes to canister stoves! If the person you are gifting is just starting out, one with an ignition built in is great. Although, if they’ve been at this awhile, it might be time to upgrade to something smaller and lighter.

  

4. It is always nice to have some form of entertainment out in the woods, something that is often overlooked is games! However, there are a lot of small games you can bring with you, without taking up a ton of room in your pack. Here are a few to check out: Go Find It, Monopoly Deal, Skipbo, Hero Realms, and Catan the Dice Game.

3. Is there anything better than dessert? While many campers and hikers have dehydrated meals on hand, a dessert is a luxury that many don’t splurge on. Here are a few favorites to sweeten their stocking: apple crisp, cheesecake, creme brulee.

2. Sliding into the number two spot is a pair of leather gloves. Leather gloves are great to wear around camp, protecting your hands from scrapes and splinters. A nice basic pair to start with is the Mechanix leather gloves.

  1. Finally, the number one stocking stuffers for your camper/hiker is a nice pair of Darn Tough socks. You can nab a pair for either gender, keep them plain or capture their personality with a pattern. These antimicrobial socks will keep their feet dry and comfy, whether it’s hot or cold out!

 

I hope this list helped you get some great ideas for the holiday season! If you have any great ideas for stocking stuffers that I missed, make sure to leave them in the comment section below! For more gift ideas, check out Kory’s 5 picks!

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